Healthwatch York

09/10/2025

A privilege to listen to people's experiences of mental health support in our city alongside Rachael Maskell MP. Looking forward to keeping this conversation going and making sure your words shape the future of mental health care in our city. Keep sharing what you need us to hear! Our survey is still open here for anyone who couldn't join us: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/W1DALF/

It was incredibly powerful to be able to listen to people’s testimony about current mental health services and support, and what we need to reflect on going forward. With thanks to Healthwatch York and the new Chief Executive at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust For more, see comments 👇

09/10/2025

Do you have experience of using hospital transport?
Working with Healthwatch North Yorkshire, we have published a new survey about hospital transport. We would like to hear about your experiences of travelling to medical appointments in York & North Yorkshire.

Recent changes to the national eligibility criteria for NHS-funded patient transport means some people no longer qualify. We want to understand how this affects people — whether it makes it harder to get to appointments, and what alternatives (if any) are being used.

Your answers are anonymous. They will help Healthwatch York & Healthwatch North Yorkshire to highlight issues and improve support.
Age UK York Dementia Forward York Disability Rights Forum RAY - Refugee Action York York Inspirational Kids Haxby Group Priory Medical Group Tang Hall, York Local Area Coordination Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust MySight York Wilberforce Trust York Carers Centre

The survey is available here:

Please take a few minutes to take our survey.

16/09/2025

The excellent Roy Lilley publishes a regular health and care policy newsletter. He gets it. "A publicly funded service needs visible mechanisms for the public to be heard. Without that, trust declines and the sense of the NHS being ‘ours' diminishes." Read here: bit.ly/RoyLilley16Sep & sign the petition to save independent voice: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/732993

We are asking the government to: • Revisit its decision to abolish local independent services that speak up for the public • Consult with the public to codesign a service which meets their needs and supports the NHS to realise its ambitions • Invest in and strengthen independent services

10/09/2025

Anyone aged over 65 or with certain health conditions can book a timed appointment for a free NHS flu vaccination at any one of our 7 Citywide Health pharmacies in York, as well as Wigginton Recreation Hall, New Earswick Surgery and St Lawrence Church Hall. Ther service starts on 1st October, but you can book an appointment now.
Eligibility and booking link at https://www.citywidehealth.co.uk/flu/

Healthwatch York NHS Humber and North Yorkshire

10/09/2025

We are working with Rachael Maskell to gather your feedback about mental health services in York. We want to hear your experiences, and how you think services could be better. We also want to hear from organisations supporting people with mental ill-health. Join us at our meeting on Thursday 2 October between 1.30 and 3.30 here at the Priory Street Centre. Or fill out our surveys:

Survey for people: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/W1DALF/
Survey for organisations: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/0WKCSY/

03/09/2025

The York Neurodiversity and Mental Health Group, part of the Mental Health Partnership, is pleased to announce a new grant funding opportunity for local organisations to develop and deliver a formal peer support offer for York’s neurodivergent community.

This pilot project seeks to address current gaps in provision and will develop and deliver formal peer support designed to offer flexible and person-led support for individuals aged 18+ with Autism and/or ADHD (not dependent on diagnosis). The initiative will prioritise inclusivity, accessibility, and lived experience, offering a blend of in-person and virtual support in safe, sensory-friendly environments.

Funding Available:
A total funding pot of up to £80,000 is available. Organisations may apply for the full amount or for a proportion of the funding.

Key Dates:

Application deadline: Monday 15 September 2025, 12:00am (midnight)
Shortlisting notification: Thursday 18 September 2025
Presentations and interviews: Tuesday 24 September 2025

We welcome applications from voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations, as well as limited companies that will not profit from the funding. Proposals should outline the delivery model, training and support for peer supporters, and plans for monitoring and evaluation.

Full details, including eligibility criteria and the application process, are provided in the attached Formal Peer Support Information sheet and application form.

Please share this opportunity with relevant colleagues and networks and encourage interested organisations to apply.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact connectingourcity@york.gov.uk.

28/08/2025

Years of underinvestment leaving many local pharmacies on the brink.
ITV coverage: https://www.itv.com/watch/news/pharmacy-owners-using-own-savings-as-many-struggle-to-pay-bills-on-time/9c48c0l

Article in the Independent here: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pharmacies-financial-issues-bills-savings-remortgaging-b2814504.html

Full report here:https://cpe.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Pharmacy-Pressures-Survey-2025-Funding-and-Profitability-Report.pdf

Pharmacy leaders have urged the government to increase funding for services to secure the long-term sustainability of the industry

07/08/2025

If you share our concerns about the lack of independent voice in health and care following plans to abolish the Healthwatch network, please sign this petition. We ask for your support:

We are asking the government to: • Revisit its decision to abolish local independent services that speak up for the public • Consult with the public to codesign a service which meets their needs and supports the NHS to realise its ambitions • Invest in and strengthen independent services

07/08/2025

Trans, non-binary and intersex people in York - Share your experiences!

Survey link https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ForTransNon-BinaryandIntersexPeople/

We are working with key partners in the city to better understand current support in York. Your experiences will help us raise important issues with healthcare professionals to create positive changes for your future healthcare.

07/08/2025

Familes and friends of trans, non-binary and intersex people in York - Share your experiences!

Survey Link - https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ForFriendsandFamily/

Your experiences will help us raise important issues with healthcare professionals to create positive changes for local people. We're working with key partners across the city looking at trans, non-binary and intersex people's experiences of health and care. We also want to hear your views on services as friends and family.

07/08/2025

Healthcare Professionals in York - Share your experiences!
We're working with key partners across the city looking at trans, non-binary and intersex people's experiences of health and care. We also want to hear your experiences as health professionals working with this community.

Survey link - https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ForHealthcareProfessionals/

Your experiences will help us raise important issues and create positive changes in the healthcare system for professionals and patients.

16/07/2025

More thanks due to local media colleagues for helping spread the word about our abolition, and why we're fighting it. This time colleagues at York Mix - thank you. See more here: